Published by UH West Oʻahu, funded by UH's Diversity and Equity Initiative grant

Freshman students have a new tool for success with the recently published Tales of Academic Survival, an anthology of essays written by University of Hawaiʻi — West Oʻahu (UHWO) students, faculty and staff to encourage and inspire college students on their path to graduation and beyond. Made possible by a grant from the University of Hawaiʻi Diversity and Equity Initiative, the compilation features personal essays about each writer‘s college experience, stories, real-life strategies and insights for successfully completing the journey to a bachelor‘s degree.

Tales of Academic Survival is the brainchild of Director of the UH West Oʻahu Writing and Learning Center Emily Nye, whose work tutoring UHWO students inspired her to compile the essays. The Writing and Learning Center offers free tutoring and academic skills programs and workshops to students throughout the academic year.

"At UH West Oʻahu, we have a large number of first-generation college students, some of whom are juggling several jobs and family responsibilities as they make their way through tests, papers and group projects," said, Nye, editor of Tales of Academic Survival. "I wanted to find a way to honor and encourage students new to the academic culture, to offer words of experience and inspiration."

The UH West Oʻahu Writing and Learning Center will host an autograph signing reception with the authors of Tales of Academic Survival on Tuesday, May 12 from 11 a.m. — 12 p.m. in B-108 at the University campus. The anthology will be distributed to all new UH West Oʻahu students during freshman orientation before the start of the fall 2009 semester and to prospective college students to inspire them to pursue higher education. To view the complete Tales of Academic Survival online, visit www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/wlcenter.

About UH West Oʻahu

UH West Oʻahu became a four-year, comprehensive university when it served its first class of freshmen in fall 2007. The University offers quality education, small classes and personalized attention at convenient locations. UH West Oʻahu held a ground blessing ceremony in January in anticipation of the start of construction for a state-of-the art, new campus in the City of Kapolei. For more information, visit uhwo.hawaii.edu, twitter.com/uhwestoahu or call 454-4700 or toll-free (866) 299-8656.